The Beniker Gang (1984) User Reviews

Covers some material people ignore about unwanted kids

[alura_5 · 7/10 · 21 March 2022]

I saw this movie a few times in the 1980s as a child and teen, and it always stuck with me. I think as a kid who didn't really have much family, and that I did not being the best for a child, and now estranged as an adult, I felt a lot of empathy with the characters, and wanted them to be together since they had found 'family' and didn't want to be parted.

This movie shows, not tells, a lot of the issues with the sad fact some kids are just not wanted, some have no relatives after mom and dad die, and some are terrified of strangers taking them against their will to foster or adopt. Kids who've faced more adversity than many adults at such young ages cannot be dismissed from the decision making process about their futures. 'I've lived in more homes than anyone here, seems I have more experience than anyone.' (Paraphrased)

There is no single or perfect solution to kids without homes or families who love them and can care for them, so maybe letting them learn to care for each other is not so crazy, when one is a legal adult graduated out of the system, and able to support them all.

I think this movie is made with a lot of heart, the kids are believable, and so are, sadly, the nosey and controlling adults in the town in which they take refuge after their orphanage escape.

As my great-aunt Ida used to say...

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 30 September 2017]

"The Beniker Gang" is definitely agreeable family fare, a feature film adaptation of the novel "Dear Lola" by Judie Angell. Andrew McCarthy stars as Arthur Beniker, an 18 year old at an orphanage who is very close to some of his fellow orphans: Cassie (Jennifer Dundas), Edmund (Charles Fields), James (Jeff Alan-Lee), and Ben (Danny Pintauro). So much so, in fact, that the five of them are willing to do anything not to let their little "family" get split up. One day, they make a break from the orphanage, and travel cross country to set down roots in Missouri. They face snobbery from suspicious local townspeople, and Arthurs' capabilities as a supervisory figure come into question, although he's actually maintained a good living as the person behind the nationally syndicated "Dear Lola" advice column.

The film isn't exactly all that sensible, or realistic, in some ways. But the five young actors in the primary roles are just so damn appealing that you do buy into them as a family of sorts. They also have good chemistry with each other. (One oddball character quirk that the story gives Ben is that he has a tendency to eat paper(!).) You also certainly understand Arthurs' decision to want to plead his case in court.

This is ultimately a warm-hearted fable, with adequate pacing, and decent location shooting in New Jersey and New York state. It's not subtle when it wants to manipulate you, and some viewers may have a hard time keeping the tears at bay. But it does also have a good sense of humour, and at its best it can be pretty charming. One twist well into the story has Alan-Lee revealing his past, born into a carny background, and toting around a makeup kit that could easily rival the legendary Lon Chaneys'.

The performances are wonderful right across the board. McCarthy is excellent, and the supporting cast features a number of familiar, reliable actors: Will Patton, George Martin, J.T. Walsh, William Duell, Bill Smitrovich, and Anthony Heald.

Appropriate viewing for your younger family members.

Seven out of 10.

Dear Lola

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 10 May 2017]

I'm still not clear about how an orphan Andrew McCarthy was allowed to write a Dear Abby like column, but the story about how a group of orphans who created their own family is an intriguing plot premise even if the story could be told better.

McCarthy was a member in good standing of Hollywood's famous Brat Pack of the 80s is involved here in a most un Brat Pack like story. When a group of orphans don't want to be split up with adoptions, McCarthy takes them out of the orphanage and they flee all the way to a small town in Missouri where they become his sister and 3 younger brothers, taking his name and becoming The Beniker Gang.

Eventually they're caught, but it kind of sort of turns out OK. Imagine Kurt Russell's kids with a girl in Overboard and you have some idea of what the Benikers are like.

Best scene in the film is McCarthy made up to look like his own grandfather to fool some nosy neighbors. The kids are resourceful no doubt.

An interesting story, could have used improvement.

Utterly Charming and moving

[Darlawood80 · 21 February 2004]

These are one of the 1980's movies that aren't pointless. This movie I like because the actors and actresses portray themselves with real feelings. They really have to fight for themselves in order to keep together. Of course Edmond may get into his fights, Ben eats his paper, and Cassie feels unpopular, but that is what makes the movie real. Whoever says this movie is boring, they need to look again. Sticking together isn't pointless at all!

another place this movie was filmed in...

[country_tanner · 6/10 · 4 June 2008]

Its been awhile since I have seen this movie but reading the places where The Beniker Gang was filmed at, I noticed one town was missing. Parts of this movie were filmed in Winchester, Virginia. I noticed the Winchester Star newspaper box in the movie.

I also seem to remember a scene of a car with a bumper sticker that said "Shenandoah County...Q102". Q102 is Winchester's country music radio station and they have been calling themselves "Shenandoah Country" since 1982. They still do to this day.

Oddly around the same time Beniker was filmed, just a few miles away in nearby Martinsburg, West Virginia another movie was being filmed.

The Patsy Cline bio-flick Sweet Dreams with Jessica Lange.

One heck of a lot of coincidences (some spoilers)

[oleander-3 · 8/10 · 6 January 2001]

Afraid of being separated, a group of five children run away from their orphanage. There's Arthur, the oldest; James, the introvert; Edmund, the sort of wisecracking kid; Cassie, the shy tomboy; Benjamin, the kid who eats paper. Cassie has the idea of what would be their perfect home, paints a picture of it, and they all set out to find it. They steal a pizza delivery van, repaint it and drive to Missouri. They arrive there at night, but must pull over due to a flat tire. The next morning Cassie's the first to wake. She steps out of the van and lo and behold, they've stopped right in front of a house with an uncanny similarity to the one she drew. It happens to be for sale so they buy the place (Arthur has a nice income from writing a "Dear Lola" column for a newspaper) and fix it up. It's here where the Beniker "Family" decide to live, and must put up with the snobbery of the nearby villagers. There are lots more coincidences, but you'll see them if you watch. Don't get me wrong--I actually liked this movie. It's sweet and interesting and devoid of the annoying, whiney personalities given to so many young characters in the few children's movies made today. Teenagers probably won't be too thrilled with The Beniker Gang (though I liked it), but it's just right for 10-12 yr. olds.

A family film

[mrs_george_harrison · 8/10 · 6 May 2005]

I thought this was a good film with an emotional storyline based on a 'family' of five orphans. The five realise they have a special bond together, and see themselves as a family. Arthur, the leader of the family is 18 and has an unusual job but it pays the bills. There are two teen boys, one teenage girl and a six year old boy. They all decide to leave their orphanage so they won't be fostered and then separated from each other. On the run, they eventually find their dream house and have the time of their lives finally living as a family at last. However, they encounter problems when their neighbours suspect that they are runaways without parents and Arthur and the rest of them have to fight to stay together. There is a great bond between these orphans which makes it a good film to watch, especially for the family.

Dramatic and fun. Good for Andrew MacCarthy and Jennifer Dundas fans! : )

[ChristinaMarie143 · 9/10 · 7 June 2006]

This is a well written, overlooked movie from the 1980's with good casting. All the characters work good together to help draw you into the story. It's not that often you see Andrew McCarthy in a dramatic role, which he does a good job, and also a young Jennifer Dundas. I first saw her in Little Gloria, Happy At Last, which she gave an amazing performance as "little Gloria". Then to see her all grown up in The First Wives Club, it was nice to see she was still in films.

I, as well, saw this as a child :~) and I just purchased it for my son, who is 9, to enjoy as well. I think those who saw this when they were younger would appreciate it more than a grown adult first timer. This is certainly not a Friday Night Date Night Movie, it's more of a Saturday morning, rainy day movie. :~)

Ciao Christina

Fun movie

[Jonathan-18 · 20 February 1999]

I saw this movie as a kid (now you can guess about how old I am), and saw it recently, and it's still fun to watch. A little fairytale-like. Andrew McCarthy was the male equivalent of Molly Ringwald in the 80's. Just a fun light-weighted way to pass an hour and a half.

A bore

[soranno · 28 October 2002]

One of the worst of all 1980's family oriented films. This one stars Andrew McCarthy as the eldest and leader of a group of orphans who gradually begin to work together as if they're an actual family. This kind of film has been made so many times before and after this one that it's not even remotely interesting anymore.